Shared services 'vital for public sector ICT reform'

Greater use of shared services should be considered a key component in reforming ICT provision in the public sector, according to a new report.

Analysis from industry body Socitm has suggested that embracing a joined-up model of service delivery should be a core principle of efficiency improvement initiatives.

This could include pooling budgets and sharing staff, as well as jointly commissioning ICT and other infrastructure and services, which would then be managed by a smaller number of organisations.

It stated that at present, there is an "endemic" failure to explore the benefits of shared services, which is leading to information being duplicated, while the sector also continues to lack a common local public services security framework.

"All of these issues need to be addressed with new shared information management policy and practice across local public services," the report suggested.

Last week, a study by Ovum revealed that many public sector executives in Europe remain unconvinced by the savings benefits of shared services, which is hindering the rate of uptake.

Odgers Interim are UK leaders in Interim Management solutions for the Public Sector. We have offices in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Cardiff as well as over 50 offices globally. We are the only Interim Management providers who are part of a top tier international executive search firm. We work closely with our executive search colleagues to find candidates who can offer short term solutions with long term benefits. www.odgersinterim.com